TAMPA, Fla. – Blake Horvath is no stranger to the USF defense. Todd Orlando’s unit has faced him each of the last two seasons and the Navy quarterback has gotten it done with his legs and right arm while totaling four touchdowns in the two games.
“He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s fast,” said the Bulls’ defensive coordinator. “He’s even keel, and that is the part I love about him. There is not a bunch of emotional stuff on the field whether he has a successful play or doesn’t. When you have a quarterback that can keep his poise, a quarterback as talented as he is and a quarterback that is responsible for the checks in the offense, that’s why they are winning. You can’t put a price tag on that.”
The senior enters Saturday’s game (Noon, ESPN2) against the Bulls at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium having rushed for at least 110 yards in each of his last six games while totaling 16 touchdowns (11 rushing) in that span.
Horvath, who was banged up (upper body) in a loss at North Texas on November 1, is expected to lead the Navy offense after sitting out last week’s defeat at Notre Dame. Saturday is senior day in Annapolis and unless the Midshipmen host the American Conference championship, it will be the Ohio native’s last home game.
“I think he has made improvement every day,” said Navy coach Brian Newberry, during his media session Monday. “He is starting to feel better and better. I feel good. Optimistic.”
That is a good thing for the Midshipmen. Horvath’s 115.8 rushing yards per game lead the nation among quarterbacks and fourth overall. The operations research major has run for 13 touchdowns, which is second to Georgia Tech’s Haynes King (16) among quarterbacks and tied for third overall. Horvath has also completed 64 percent of his passes (68-for-107) and is averaging an eye-opening 16.8 yards per completion.
“As special a player as there is in this conference, as efficient of a quarterback as there is in this league,” said coach Alex Golesh, rattling off a few of Horvath’s many impressive stats. “What he has done on the ground is just as impressive with what he has done through the air.”
Linebacker Mac Harris, the Bulls’ leader in tackles (75), sacks (6), and forced fumbles (3), chased Horvath around the gridiron during a 44-30 win in Annapolis in 2023 and a 28-7 home loss last season.
“He is a great athlete, but most of all, he runs their system really well,” he said. “He is really confident, but not too flashy. He’s a really, really good player. I have a lot of respect for him.”
READ: No. 24 USF Bulls Are The Highest-Ranked Group Of Five Team
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